Adenylyl Cyclase Activity and Mood Disorders: Preliminary Data in Human Brain Postmortem

Abstract

During the past decade, an increasing interest has been shifted from the study of neuroreceptors to their links with second-messenger pathways. In the present article, we shall briefly review the methodological tools for evaluating adenylyl cyclase activity in several human brain and peripheral models, as well as the studies suggesting its involvement in the pathophysiology of mood disorders. We shall present also some preliminary data obtained in our laboratory providing evidence for the measurement of serotonin-sensitive adenylyl cyclase activity in human brain postmortem.